warm up
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle up
Meanings
Become warmer over time
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“The room warmed up once we lit the fire.”
“Wait for the engine to warm up.”
Reheat food, drink or another object
“The cafe worker warmed up Leo's roll while Maya put the shopping bags under the table.”
“Could you warm up the soup?”
“Warm the plates up before serving.”
Do gentle exercises to prepare your body for harder activity
Why “up”? People or conditions get ready before the main action begins.
“The runners warmed up before the race.”
“She warmed up with a few stretches.”
Become more relaxed, lively or enthusiastic, of a person or audience
“He warmed up after a couple of drinks.”
“The crowd took a while to warm up.”
Start to like or accept someone or something
“She warmed up to the idea over time.”
“The shy dog warmed up to us after a few visits.”
Entertain an audience to put them in a good mood before the main act
“A comedian warmed up the crowd.”
“The host told jokes to warm the audience up.”
Test yourself
“The room warmed up once we lit the fire.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
build up
Same up pattern: increase
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
get up
Same up pattern: increase
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position; Increase in strength
go up
Same up pattern: increase
Rise in price or amount
grow up
Same up pattern: increase
Become an adult or spend your childhood in a place
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